Boardman swimmers, divers raise $2,000 for Joanie Abdu Center

BOARDMAN — The Boardman High School swim and dive team recently completed its annual “BTUB” community service activity by raising money for the Joanie Abdu Breast Care Center.

This year’s effort was designed entirely by the team’s seniors, continuing the program’s emphasis on leadership at every level.

“We stress with our athletes that leadership isn’t tied to grade level,” said head coach Carlo Cordon.

“By the time they are seniors, we empower them to design the community activity our team will take part in. This year, they chose something we’ve never done before.”

The seniors organized a special swim meet themed “Put a Cap on Cancer,” during a tri-meet with Poland and Green High Schools. All 36 Boardman swim team athletes raised individual donations and fans contributed spare change throughout the event.

The initiative raised $2,000, far surpassing the team’s original goal.

“We asked all our fans to wear pink to the meet, and that included our swimmers, who sported pink swim caps for the cause,” Cordon said.

The senior leaders behind the event were Aly Murray, Mary Melone, Julia Pickens, Jillian Palusak, Sam Viano, Lydia Kenney, Timmy DiTosto, Samuel DiStefano, Grant Parker, and Sean Cummings.

“These seniors have been rock stars in the classroom, in the weight room and in the pool,” Cordon added. “As they graduate from Boardman High School and our swim program, we are confident they will continue to be strong leaders in their communities.”